Police arrest mother of 7-year-old suspected of being forced into prostitution

ALBUQUERQUE - A New Mexico mother of a 7-year-old who authorities say was forced into prostitution and pickpocketing was arrested late Thursday on child abuse charges.

Court records show Teri Lee Sanchez was taken into custody after James Stewart Sr., the girl’s father, was arrested early Thursday in yet another case involving the abuse of children in one of the nation’s poorest states. The arrests follow an investigation by agents with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office that began last month after school officials alerted authorities about possible human trafficking.

According to a criminal complaint, the girl told investigators she and her mother would “hustle” and that she was required to dress up in high-heeled shoes and makeup and accompany her mother to “special parties” where she was left unsupervised. Investigators later concluded that those “secret parties” were strip clubs where Sanchez worked as a dancer.

Court documents also refer to instances that date back to 2012, when police and state child welfare workers had contact with the family.

The girl told investigators she rarely ate, and when she did, it was usually “beans and ketchup.”

Sanchez is charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It was not known if Sanchez had an attorney.

Stewart is accused of prostituting his 7-year-old daughter and forcing the girl and her brother to panhandle and pick pockets, court documents said.

In interviews, the girl and her brother told investigators they and an older sibling would regularly panhandle during the day to collect enough money to eat. The girl also said her father encouraged her to steal people’s wallets because her hands were smaller and it was easier for her to do.

The complaint also alleges that Stewart forced the girl to sexually touch men and women in exchange for drugs, drug paraphernalia and other items. It wasn’t immediately clear if Stewart had an attorney.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said the top priority was ensuring the children are safe.

The children were placed in state custody and rescued from what Balderas described as “unimaginable exploitation” and “horrific risk.”

Earlier this year, three people were indicted for the beaten death of 13-year-old Jeremiah Valencia. His body was found off a rural highway near Nambe.